For our SupraSmartLab we got a new pipetting robot from Opentrons. With the help of this device it is possible to automate many of our protocols and to therefore fasten up our spectroscopy projects! Due to the custom made cuvette holders and the anyway available compatibility with current used tips and labware we can transfer all our pipetting processes on our new roboter!

CD/FDCD Spectrometer

For our dichroistic studies we are using a Jasco J1500 CD spectrometer.

In the current setup we are not only able to detect CD spectra for circular dichroistic behaviour of matter with a transmitting light beam, but also FD-CD spectra.

FD-CD is the abbrevation for fluorescence-detected CD spectroscopy in which the fluorescence intensity is acquired while the circular polarization of the incident excitation beam is varied as well as its energy. While a CD spectrum can be understood as analogues technique to an absorption spectrum, FD-CD can be understood as an excitation spectrum.

Despite FD-CD spectroscopy requires luminescent materials to be probed for their chiro-optical properties, it offers a greater sensitivity then "normal" CD-spectroscopy.

Fluorescence spectrometer with Automatic Titration Unit

For our photophysical investigations we are not only unsing the fluorescence spectrometers provided by the INT (Horiba FL3 and Cary Eclipse), but also use the FP8300 by JASCO.

For higher reproducibility in our fluorescence based supramolecuar binding studies we are taking advantage of a automatic titration unit (top in the picture).

Isothermal Titration Calorimeter

Our MircoCal PEAQ-ITC by Malvern Panalytical allows us to measure all binding parameters in a single experiment. It is a highly sensitive isothermal titration colorimeter which can analyze samples as little as 10 µg.

Combiflash

Our CombiFlash® Rf 150 by TELEDYNE ISCO helps us to improve and fasten up column chromatography to a maximum. With the different column sizes from 4 grams to 330 grams, the possibility to use Silica, Aluminiumoxide or modified Silica as well as the different column loading techniques we an purify almost every crude. Besides the well know column separation also TLC checks can be fastened up by quickly running a short column and checking the UV spectrum. Due to the applied internet connection it is also possible to check the column progress from the office computer or any other place.

UV-Vis Spectrometer

For our photophysical investigations we are not only unsing the UV-Vis pectrometer provided by the INT, but also use the V-730 by JASCO.

Luzchem Photoreactor

For photolytical reactions a photoreactor from Luzchem, Typ LZC-4X, can be used. The lightsources are UV-B-lamps with ?Max = 254 nm and ?Max = 365 nm. By use of the lightsource with 254nm the reaction chamber has to be flooded with nitrogen at least 30 minutes to devoid the buildung of ozone. A ventilation system attached to the exhaust system ensures optimum safety during reactions.

VaCo Freeze Dryer

Based on our work in aqueous media we use a VaCo 2 laboratory freeze dryer by ZIRBUS technology to remove water under mild conditions. Besides the condenser it is equipped with an acryl chamber, inert racks with drying shells and six connenctions on top for reaction flasks.